The Bloomington Community Orchard celebrated its year of fruitful work with rhubarb and chai pie in the Harmony School Gymnasium on Sunday evening.
Amy Roche, the chair of the orchard’s Board of Directors in 2015, said the BCO’s fifth year ushered in some landmarks.
In 2015, the jujube and apple trees grew mature enough to bear fruit, Roche said.
Roche said she hopes the orchard can contribute to local community kitchens in 2016 and beyond.
“We hope you’ll be picking it and eating it yourself, but we also hope to grow enough to share ... with the organizations that have the infrastructure to share that produce,” Roche said.
The BCO also planted its first “pocket orchard,” a small plot of fruit trees, near IU’s School of Education, Roche said.
Josh David, the 2015 and 2016 vice-chair of the Board of Directors, said the BCO is already looking forward to 2016 planting projects and education.
According to the 2015 financial report, $800 of the orchard’s income came from grant money.
Individual donations made up more than $10,000 of the remaining income, and other contributions added nearly $8,000.
About a third of the money went to outreach, including community events and tree-plantings, according to the financial report.
A significant portion also went to orchard maintenance and supplies, technology and education events.
David said the orchard hopes to construct an outdoor classroom inside the orchard in 2016 so “Work and Learn Days” and other classes can be held within the garden space.
To facilitate other community orchard projects, David said the orchard planned to share information about which trees they’ve had most success with in Bloomington, as well as tips for similar projects in other areas.
“We really feel like people are looking to us and saying, ‘How did you do that?’” David said. “We’re always learning, we’re always growing and experimenting. We’re just lucky we get to eat the fruits of the harvest.”
David said the orchard will also work on more small orchards on campus, including a partnership with La Casa Latino Cultural Center and possibly some of the dorms.
Aileen Driscoll and Teresa Dunn of BCO-IU said the group has communicated with Collins Living-Learning Center and Forest Quad in the past, though no location had been set.
Driscoll, the BCO’s community partner, planting manager and a member of the IU student group, said getting involved in the orchard was one of the best decisions she’s made.
“From a professional sense, I’ve had countless opportunities with tree-growing, sustainability ... as well as leadership opportunities and public speaking opportunities,” Driscoll said.
“On a more personal level, the orchard just represents a community and a civic (involvement) that I’ll be able to take with me for the rest of my life.”
